Applications for £2m nature recovery fund open

The fund will support and assist environmental partnerships and volunteer programmes

A £2m fund to support local community groups with a focus on the environment across south-west England has open for applications.

South West Water (SWW) said its Nature Recovery Fund aimed to deliver "tangible, community-led improvements" to nature and water quality.

The package will support and assist environmental partnerships and volunteer programmes across Cornwall, Devon, the Isles of Scilly and a small area in Dorset where SWW delivers wastewater services.

Susan Davy, CEO of Pennon, said the fund was "another step forward" and ensured the recovery was "shared by nature, by people, and by place".

She said: "Across the South West, my teams and I have met so many passionate people with a deep connection to the places they live, and this fund is about backing them to make a real difference.

"More than 200 people have already joined our briefings to share their ideas and I'm excited to see those projects come to life.

"By working hand-in-hand with local communities, we can protect and restore our rivers, landscapes and wildlife, creating lasting improvements to water quality, biodiversity, and local pride."

SWW added that collaborative projects to enhance rainwater harvesting, catchment management and community rainwater storage were also planned.

Applicants can apply for small grants of up to £10,000 or large grants of up to £250,000 and will be asked to submit an Expression of Interest.

If successful applicants will be asked to submit a full application and should select the grant type which "best matches the scale, scope and expected outcomes of their proposed project".